Above the Dead, EP 2.8 "Show of Power"A Screenplay by Mike Decker Season 2, Episode 8 (extended) ABOVE THE DEAD . com Season 2, Episode 8 (extended episode, 73 pages) "Show of Power" INTRO BLACK... FADE IN: EXT. WOODS �" DAY Convicts aiming guns as they watch their backs, and
nervously looking all around… POV moving toward the sound of Zane… ZANE (OS) Don’t worry, they’re a few
miles up the road, packed in the Humvee, and
heading home. POV finds Zane, as Swish takes his radio, still smiling
at him… SWISH (Zane puts arm
around Sam) Rough Riders, compound, Humvee,
(looking at Sam) a child worth going to war,
over…(staring at Zane) These people come with a story! Swish looking over them all, then back to Zane… SWISH Well…let’s hear that s**t… Zane looking at him, then around, and back to Swish… ZANE This girl (motioning to Sam),
right here, has been lost to us, since this all
happened, until not five minutes ago. (Zane looking at
her) How she got herself all the way here, from
down off Mt. Hood, I don’t even know, yet!
(looking back as Swish) She means everything to our family.
Sending her home with (motioning toward Dakota)
my sister, would go a long way in keeping the thousands
of people of our compound, from
that war, I mentioned… Swish continues to smile at him…as one of the convicts
speaks out. MAN (OS) He’s not lying bout’ the
compound. I know there’s a big one out here somewhere. ANOTHER MAN (OS) That was just a rumor around
the prison yard. SWISH I never heard that rumor…(still
keeping eye contact with Zane) But he’s telling the
truth, alright. ANOTHER MAN (OS) What if he’s one of Grover’s
men? Zane staring at Swish… ZANE I thought you
were Grover’s men, possibly Grover, himself. SWISH What do you know about Grover? ZANE Just what the signs tell us. We
came here to scout you out, before setting up camp
nearby, to make sure (motioning to Sam) she had
safe passage past you guys, (looking right at
Sam) because that’s how confident we were, that she’d
be coming… Swish rolling his eyes… SWISH Your story’s becoming a
hallmark movie of the week. Get to the interesting
part, before I change the damn channel. ZANE That’s just it, I don’t know
the story, (looking at Sam) yet. I don’t know how her father
and my uncle died, or how long she was
alone, up there. I don’t know who buried her
father, (Sam beginning to shed tears) her
uncle, cousins, neighbors, even her dog. I have
no idea how she got herself all the way here,
(looking at DJ and others) or who these other
people with her, are. SWISH I get it, I get it! You’re
trying to make me feel empathetic for your situation,
and intimidated by your “thousands” of people, but
this story now has more tears than sixty
straight days of sappy Christmas movies. Get to the
point where you tell me WHO you people are? ZANE We’re the people with a
compound, thirty miles from here, with enough room for
twice as many as we already have. Our goal is
not only to survive, but to bring people in, to help
them
survive… (looking right at Swish) So,
maybe it’s you who should be telling me who the hell you are… Swish just looking back at him, with a smile… DISSOLVE TO: THEME
TUNE/CREDITS Shots of all the
chaos in the city, on day 1 of the “zombie” apocalypse, followed by
bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highways, and tons of angry/nervous people
honking or trying to pull off the road. Shot of Mt. Hood, followed by shots of
a huge tree house overlooking a lake, which dissolves into the Columbia River,
and traveling down it, through a huge forest fire, before reaching the
Bonneville Dam. POV continues down the river, past the Glen Jackson bridge,
flowing by tons of houseboats where the dead are falling into the river,
chasing after whoever is drifting by… POV of the
Willamette River as it goes under the St. Johns bridge, and up into the hills
of Portland. It travels over them, into the Beaverton area, crossing over the
top of the Nike World Headquarters, and keeps traveling over farmlands, and
into the coast range, finding the Glenwood Market, and a large camp with log
walls, across the creek and behind the store… POV speeds over
the Tillamook Forest, Highway 26, and a bunch of other lands, before coming to
the Columbia River, traveling west, under the Megler bridge, and into the
ocean. It continues along the shoreline, past Astoria, the Haystack Rock of
Cannon Beach, coming to a pair of jetties, and following through the channel
between them. POV continues up into the nearby hills, finding a large camp,
protected by a large log wall… POV travels back
down to the shoreline, and over a huge hotel, with a shot of the Twin Rocks in
the ocean. POV travels by the bay of Tillamook, and along Highway 6, back into
the coast range, until leaving the road, back into the Tillamook Forest, until coming
to a very large compound, hidden away by all the brush and mountain-side, as
opening credits roll… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. WOODS �" DAY A tear running down
Samantha’s face, as she and her group are all lined up, and led away, by the convicts.
She is making eye contact with Bailey, then staring at GW, and taking in just
how enormous he is, before looking back to Bailey, who watches from up in a
tree. Sam develops more tears, as they walk away, leaving Bailey behind… Some of the convicts
are guiding along the horses… Swish falls back a
bit, waiting for both Stix and Zane to catch up to him, then he hands a bloody
hatchet toward Stix. SWISH Almost forgot your baby… Stix grabbing it
from him, with a look at Zane, looking back at him… Renee is close to
DJ, crying, as she looks back at the tree that Bailey is in. DJ has an arm
around her, as they walk… Sam looks back
toward Bailey one last time, then takes notice of Renee, looking and crying… SAM (talking to Renee) I think he’ll follow… A couple of the convicts
hear her, and look back… They keep walking
in silence… SAM (talking to Zane) My moms…I know they made it to the compound, that day…are they still okay? ZANE No; they’re a mess, and worried sick about you. I can’t wait for them to see you, alive and well. Sam somewhat
smiling…before it fades… SAM And everyone else?... Besides Miles? Zane closing his
eyes, a moment… ZANE We lost my brothers, Kate, Angela, and Mary, at the hotel, the day it all started. That’s why we couldn’t get up the mountain, that day. Everyone else in the family, is okay. Rich too, after surviving a serious gunshot wound, which slowed us down while trying to get to you. Sam beginning to
cry again, at the news of her cousins, and for Zane’s loss, as she looks at
him, fighting back his own emotions… SAM I’m so sorry, Zane. I had no idea… Swish rolling his
eyes. SWISH Oh my God, I’m about to cut you all loose, just to make it stop. You people are too sappy for the apocalypse…no wonder you’re all dying! A bunch of the convicts
laugh… Zane looks at Stix,
who looks back at him, without any laughing… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
�" DAY The convicts
leading Zane and them, onto Glenwood Lane (road leading across the
bridge/creek), toward the entrance of the camp, which is now completely gated
and surrounded by a log wall, on both sides. Zane can’t believe what he’s
looking at, all of them fairly shocked to see the enclosed camp. Both Sam and Renee keep
looking back behind them, with no sight of Bailey… Renee’s face is
full of tears… Eli has been brave,
since the death of his brother, but for the first time, he looks like a child,
again… Cleo is sharing
flirtatious looks with at least one of the convicts… Eric and some
others, are now at the gates, anxiously waiting for Swish to arrive… Swish greets him
with a smile… SWISH Hi, sweetheart. How was your day? ERIC More concerned with your day, at the
moment… SWISH Any chance those walls will be complete, soon? Eric throwing a
concerned look at Swish… Dissolve to Eric,
standing next to Swish and Stix, at the gate of the Glenwood detention camp
(with “Detention Camp” sign above it). They look in at Zane and his group,
taking seats on the benches… There are covered
areas for sleeping. It’s a much more “comfortable” detention camp than the one
Zane was in, on Mt. Hood. Other members of
the camp, are curiously nearby, or approaching the scene, to have a look. Pepsi
is there, with both Coke and Chance, and many more of the women. SWISH Look at the bright side… We finally get to test the DC. Eric an unpleased
look at Swish, and back at Zane/group, as they get comfortable… Sam is pulling
something out of her pocket. It’s a Ziploc bag. She opens it up, pulling out a folded-up
paper. She opens it up, and looks at Zane. He’s staring at her, still in happy
shock to even be looking at her. It’s almost as if the current situation, is on
hold. He can’t help but to smile at her… She reaches over
toward him, handing him the paper. He grabs it, and opens it up. It’s the
letter she had written him, that never got left behind at the tree house. He
looks at it, then to her, and back to the letter… Eli takes notice,
as do most of the others. Zane is now reading it, with continued looks at Sam,
from time to time… Dakota takes notice
of emotion in Zane’s face, and moves over closer, trying to peek at the letter.
Eli gets up, and
walks away… DJ takes notice of him, walking to the other end of the DC. Zane can’t help but
to begin weeping, like a baby, as he reads on. Dakota develops tears, just
watching him. Tears drop from Sam’s face. Zane makes eye contact with her. He
stares at her a moment, before back at the paper, with more tears running down
his face… Dissolve to Zane
taking a break from the letter, and just dropping his head into his hand… ZANE Oh my God…Greg… (looking at
Sam) And we were right there… She looks into his
eyes… ZANE You wouldn’t be here, if not for him. Sam dropping more
tears, at the mention of Greg. Zane shaking his head, with tears, as he continues
to read… Dissolve to Dakota,
now holding the letter, close enough for both her and Cleo to read. They both
have faces full of tears, with looks at Sam, who stands, hugging Zane… Zane shares looks
of appreciation, with DJ and Marlana. DJ takes another look over at Eli,
staying away from the scene… Pepsi takes notice
of all the emotion, going on inside the DC. She looks around at them all,
before stopping and staring at Zane… Zane looks over at
Swish, who is off talking with Eric. Stix is close by, watching all the
emotion. He looks right at Zane, with empathy… Stix’s POV of Zane,
looking back at him. In the background, he can barely hear Swish and Eric,
talking… POV Eric shaking
his head/lifting up arms with frustration, while talking to Swish. ERIC Is this where you somehow make sense of this? Swish shrugging his
shoulders. SWISH What confuses you? Eric a wide eyed,
unbelievable look at Swish, before dragging him around the corner, out of sight
from the DC, and all the others… SWISH We’re not gonna’ make out, are we? Swish stops, turning
back toward Stix. SWISH Stix, get in there and break up sappy family reunion time, and begin interrogating that guy. Gary will join you, once he’s done squatting under a tree, or wherever he is. Swish continues
going around corner, with Eric… SWISH (speaking to Eric) I think I’m busy being interrogated, myself. ERIC (sarcastically) You think? SWISH I was only reacting to the instructions left by Grover. ERIC That’s bullshit! He specifically said, “IF trouble comes to us”. Now explain to me what they have done to define themselves as trouble? SWISH They’re organized, they had guns, horses, a radio in which they used to warn the rest of their people, who they claim to have even more than us. ERIC All good reasons to call for backup, and to take them the way you did, but why in God’s name did you have to kill one of them?! SWISH It was a show of power… Eric just staring
at him, in disbelief… ERIC A show of power? (Eric shaking his head) Did you see those people? How much they seem to care about each other? There’s no chance of making peace with them, now. They’re in there sobbing over family they found, how will they ever overlook the family they just lost, at the hands of us?! You’re going to risk going to WAR with these people,
over a GOD DAMN SHOW OF POWER?! Swish closes his
eyes, and wipes some of Eric’s spit, off of his face, and then just opens eyes
and stares right back at him… SWISH Are you done? Eric simply begins
shaking his head, in disbelief… ERIC Who is this show of power really for? Them, or is this about you and I? Eric steps up into
Swish’s face… ERIC Because I’m not impressed, and I’m certainly not intimidated. Maybe you think you don’t need me anymore, now that the wall is almost complete. Maybe you think Grover will just be okay with you taking over, or maybe you think my men will be more loyal to you? Yet what you should be concerned with, is just how many of your men are now loyal to me. Messing with me,
is no different than messing with Grover. You want to mess with him, be my guest… SWISH Seriously…are you done, yet? ERIC With you, yes, I am.
Because now I have to go fix the problem you
created. Eric turns and
heads back to the DC, with Swish eventually following… ERIC (speaking to DC guards) Alright, open up those gates. Those people are free to go. Convicts/loggers
all sharing some confused looks. All the woman/kids and others, who are
standing around watching, stare on, as Eric approaches the DC gates. The DC
guards are hesitant to open the gates, waiting for Eric to arrive. Stix stands
inside, with Zane, just watching… ERIC This is not a request. It’s an order. DC guards begin
opening gates, as Eric continues toward them. Stix looks at Zane, then gestures
him to follow. Zane turns and flashes a smile at Sam, who smiles back,
following him and Stix. DJ puts his arm around Renee, who shares a smile with
Marlana. Cleo speaks to Dakota, as they follow the others. CLEO At least someone around here knows what they’re doing. Eric arrives at the
gate, with a nod to Stix, and then reaching his hand out to Zane. Zane stares
at his hand, then him… ERIC You have my deepest apologies, and I can only ask that you and your people don’t try to destroy what we have going here, over one man’s mistakes. Zane finally takes
his hand, shaking it. Suddenly, a knife comes sticking out of Eric’s chest,
stabbed in the back, by Swish, who turns Eric toward his face, as everyone else
reacts with shock… SWISH How you like that, for a show of power? And this show will go on, which is why I put the knife in your back, rather than your head. Cause when you turn, and you (patting his head) will turn, your hungry rotting corpse will be hanging above the camp gates, like a puppet, for everyone to see, and to set an example for all those who believe they can get away with speaking to me, the way you just did. Swish looks over at
Zane, who looks horrified, but stares Swish directly in the eye… SWISH Leaving so soon? Swish finishes off
Eric, gutting his insides. Then quickly uses his hands to gesture Zane and the
others, back into the DC. He watches them go in, and his men locking it back
up, as everyone else around, continues to stare, in shock… Swish looks all
around, at his people, who look back at him… SWISH So…Eric here, told me I should be concerned with some of my own men, and how they were becoming more loyal to him. I’m not going to
lie, that made me angry. Probably even half the reason I did, what I just did. I can’t have someone turning my own people against me. That would be chaos. I can’t…we…can’t have people questioning who their leader is. (gesturing toward Eric) That’s obviously no longer a problem. When, or even if, Grover returns, I’ll gladly explain to him why I came to this “hasty” decision. It’s my belief that he’ll understand the danger (gesturing to Eric) this guy was about to put us in, not to mention the opportunity, he was about to blow. (motioning to Zane) Those people have a compound! They have weapons, horses, and God knows what else… (looking around at everyone) That could be all ours! This is what Grover would want. He warned us about these kind of people, and how we have to show dominance. They brought the fight to us. It’s our job to show them who Grover is. (gesturing to Eric) He was just going to let them go, without even asking who the hell they are, or what the hell they came here for?! I did what I had to do, for the greater good. Swish looking
around at everyone. Most convicts are nodding or content, but the loggers, women,
and others, all appear nervous/skeptical… Cleo shakes her
head, while Dakota shares a concerned look with Zane (holding Sam close), who
then shares a look with Stix… SWISH I’m not taking over, this isn’t a dictatorship. Stix still shares command, with me, and (motioning toward surroundings) none of this even exists without Grover. This is his show…I’m just here
to make sure it’s still here, when he returns. Silence while the convicts
continue to nod, and more of the woman seem at ease… Silence continues,
until Zane breaks it… ZANE Who’s Grover? Everyone stares at
Zane, then Swish, who laughs with a shake of his head… SWISH See?... He even wants to ask the questions. (laughing) Unbelievable… (looking at nearby men, and gesturing at Eric) Get this guy hung up, before he comes back. Dakota a look to Zane,
who looks back. ZANE It’s like talking to Dad… Men carefully
picking Eric up… Dissolve to close-up
of Eric’s body coming back to life, while now hung up above the gates, as
everyone wildly reacts to it… SWISH OH, MY S**T! WHOA! I don’t think seeing that will ever get old! God damn, this is my kinda new world! Swish and others
just admiring the gate’s new decoration, many of them laughing. Any women close
by, are not amused, shaking heads and walking away. Although a few women, next
to the men, were enjoying the scene. A few teenagers looked on, some of them with
intrigue, while others were dragged off by their mothers, with some of the
convicts pointing and laughing at them… Inside the gates,
over under a tree, Pepsi sat on a blanket while watching over the boys, who
played with some toys. What she truly watched, was Zane, over in the DC… Stix in
conversation with Zane. He takes notice of Swish, heading back through the
gates, toward them. Stix walks over to the gate, exiting and waiting for Swish
to arrive… Sam (shock still in
her face) walks to Zane, with all of the others (shock still in their faces)
approaching, except Eli, who still remained off on his own… SAM What did he say? ZANE I’m not sure, but I think he might help us. I told him how the radio call I made to the Rough Riders, was fake. SAM Why was it fake, and why did you tell him? ZANE You know why it was fake. They were out of range, and I did it to make these guys nervous. I shared that info with him, to see what he does with it. SAM What if he tells? ZANE I’ll admit why I gave him the intel in the first place, and deny just how genuine it was. Cleo looking at
Zane with admiration… CLEO I would be so in love with you, if I was into dudes… just saying. Dakota giving her a
weird look… CLEO What?... I love this
family… Zane eyeing Stix,
who is now in conversation with Swish, who looks back over at Zane, and begins
entering, inside… They all nervously
watch him approach, with a few armed guards… SWISH So, is it true? Your little radio call was a hoax? Swish takes notice
of Stix, who is shaking his head… SWISH What? STIX I had his trust. Why ruin it, so quickly? (pointing at head) Think! SWISH (smiling) I appreciate your approach, but the goal here is to gain his trust, myself. ZANE Then you better do a better job than him, ‘cause I didn’t tell him that because it was true, but because I wanted to see what he’d do with it, and now I know… SWISH (again smiling) Well, how’s this for starters? The kids, (motioning over toward Eli) even that one, if he is a kid, are free to join the rest of our camp. The rest of you will just have to wait until you prove just how trustworthy you can be. Renee scoots in
closer to DJ. Sam somewhat does the same, with Zane and Dakota… ZANE What do you mean, by join the rest of the camp? SWISH Warm beds, warm food, friends and family. (shaking head) What else would you like? ZANE Their friends and family are in here. Why not let us all out? Or at least everyone but me? Swish looking
around at them all. He makes eye contact with DJ, holding onto Renee… DJ She has autism and really needs to go wherever I go…please… Zane looking at DJ
and Renee, taking in that information… Swish continues
looking over them all, then to Zane, Dakota, and Cleo… SWISH Was it you three who came on the horses, and magically crossed paths with the rest of these guys? Zane nodding… SWISH Well alright then, you three remain in here, and the Mt. Hood crew is free to meet the rest of the camp, and find a warm place to bunk. But first…lets chat… DISSOLVE TO:
FLASHBACK INT. BAR �" NIGHT The crowded bar is
very festive, with Christmas décor and everyone in “ugly Christmas
sweatshirts”. POV travels around
all the random people. You can hear bits and pieces of their conversations,
until one particular conversation comes into focus, and from a familiar voice… FAMILIAR VOICE (OS) At first, I thought he was just some kind of crazy conspiracy theory/nutjob. Then he put this grand, in my hand, and promised another thousand, each and every Christmas, until his plan goes into effect. (laughing) Not that it ever will. WOMAN What’s the plan? POV finds Swish (about
10 years younger), at the bar, with two beautiful women, as the bartender
refills their glasses. He’s in the ugliest of ugly Christmas sweatshirts. SWISH That part, I was told to (finger to nose) keep hushed. WOMAN #2 What’s he work for, the CIA, or something? (laughing) SWISH More like the mob. WOMAN #2 We have mobsters in Portland? Swish shrugging as
he takes a drink… WOMAN #1 Well, he has to be someone important if he’s
got a thousand bucks to throw away every Christmas. SWISH Either that, or he’s freaking Santa Claus! (girls laughing) WOMAN #2 I guess that makes you pretty important… Swish a smiling
stare at her… SWISH I guess it does… DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT
TIME EXT. GLENWOOD DC �"
DAY Swish sitting there
shaking his head, while looking at Zane… SWISH That compound sounds amazing. The only thing I’m having trouble believing, is that Grover would have certainly known of its existence…yet he’s never mentioned it to me. ZANE My grandfather did as much as he could to keep it on the down-low, but yeah, sounds to me like this Grover guy should have known. Swish just staring
at Zane with a smile, while Zane’s poker face remains serious… SWISH I don’t like that I can’t figure you out, or trust that you don’t say things like that, just to mess with my head. ZANE I think you’re messing with it just fine, yourself… SWISH (smiling again) There you go, again… Swish picks up
Sam’s letter, which sits in front of him. It’s a handful of pages, as he
glances through them all. SWISH I don’t plan to survive long enough to read through this emotional mess, but Stix tells me these Mt. Hood people went through quite an ordeal, and these people appear pretty important to you. That’s why as a show of good faith, I’ve decided to trust their presence, outside the DC. He also tells me, that the guy we killed was of no relation to you, or your compound. I hope this means we can all learn to be friends? Zane staring at
him… ZANE Who’s messing with who, now? Swish smiling, then
laughing… SWISH I was actually being sincere, but I like the way you think! We’ll talk more later, and maybe some sort of trust can be built. (looking right at him) But for now, I still think you’d put one in my head, if given the opportunity. (looks at Dakota and Cleo) Same thing with the lesbians, over there. Swish heading away,
then looking back at the Mt Hood group. SWISH You guys coming? Sam staring at
Zane… ZANE You’re staying right here. Sam nodding… DJ sits down, as
does Renee. None of them leave or follow after Swish, who laughs and leaves
through the gate, while pulling Stix to his side… SWISH So, what do you think? Was that call real, or not? STIX (shrugging) Hard to tell, but we need to assume it was. Which is why I hate to say it, but Eric gave you no choice. Swish excitedly
smiling… SWISH I appreciate that, Stix. STIX Of course, that’s only because you foolishly made me kill one of their men, simply to test my loyalty, which has never strayed. (looking Swish in the eyes) But no more kids…we don’t hurt kids, here. Swish smiling with
a nod… SWISH You got it, Stix. You saw me in there. I tried to free them. You’re proving to be as loyal as I need you to be, to keep this place safe… (taking in a deep breath) Let’s gather the men, so we can decide our next move. Whatever it is, (looking around) we can’t be so “public” about it. Some of the men
heading their direction, as Stix begins signaling over all the others… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DC �" EVENING Zane lying back,
with Sam leaning in against him, wrapped in his arms… Dakota (in Cleo’s
arms) watches them, with a growing smile… DAKOTA I still can’t believe we got her back. (shaking head) ZANE I can’t let her go. DAKOTA Even being stuck in here, and after seeing what we just saw…it just seems like everything’s going to be okay. Cleo gives Dakota a
squeeze. SAM (smiling) Because it is… Zane gives Sam a
squeeze… SAM I can’t wait to see Mom and Mom, and Grandpa! And Scout! God, everyone. I just thought I’d never… Zane giving her
another squeeze. Cleo and Dakota fighting back tears… Zane takes notice
of Eli, still off on his own… ZANE Eli is quiet. He okay; other than the obvious? Sam looking over at
Eli… SAM Oh my God… ZANE What? SAM I just realized he must be feeling guilty about the letter. DAKOTA Guilty? ZANE What would he have to feel guilty about? SAM You were right about us having to rush away from the tree house, but I had already put the letter in our secret compartment, and even left believing it was there, for you to find. Until the next day, when Eli shared that he had seen me put it there, and took it, to read. He never had the chance to put it back. Don’t be mad at him. I was at first, but… ZANE Are you kidding me? Be mad at the kid who helped return you to us? CLEO That’s what I’m saying! Because unless you did some exaggerating in there, that kid is practically superhuman. Zane rising. DAKOTA It’s like he was born for this family. ZANE I’m all over it. With Sam now free, Dakota
moves in to wrap her up into her arms, with Sam smiling… DAKOTA Oh my God, I’m never letting you go. Renee watches
Sam/Dakota, with a smile… CLEO B***h, yes you will! I have her next! Sam’s smile grows
even bigger… Zane arriving over by
Eli, sitting down next to him, simply staring at him a moment… ELI I’m so sorry I took that letter. ZANE Are you kidding me? You do realize what kind of a freaking legend you are, in that letter, don’t you? Not to mention how lucky my little cousin was to have you out there, with her. You’re the main reason I’m okay, now. Because before I got her back (shaking head), I don’t know that I was ever going to be okay, again. Because of you, I won’t be spending the rest of my life imagining the unthinkable kinds of things, that had been stuck in my head, ever since…(shaking head, then a look right at Eli) You’ve saved me…not just me, but our entire family, from a lifetime of pain… A family you are now very much a big part of… Eli turning away
from Zane, to shield developing tears… ELI (muttering) You’re as sappy as your cousin. Zane smiling big,
before smile fades… ZANE I’m sorry about your brother, Rhett. Eli closing his
eyes… POV Zane, with
Eli’s back to him… ZANE It’s obvious where you get your heroics from… I really wish I could have met him. ELI (back still to Zane) You would’ve liked him… ZANE I know I would have, and I do… He saved you guys. I wouldn’t have Samantha back, without him, and I wouldn’t have gotten to meet you. Eli silently
beginning to sob… ELI (can hear sobs in voice) He should’ve been a part of this, your compound. You would’ve loved him… You guys would’ve dominated, together. Eli sobbing out
loud, with everyone else now watching, and as Zane places a hand over his
shoulder… ELI (sobbing) I’m sorry. I’m sorry! ZANE You have no reason to be, not a single bit. DJ, Renee, and
Marlana (with a tear) all watching… Sam, Dakota, and
Cleo all watching… SAM (tear in eye) I think that’s the first time he’s really cried, since… Dakota sharing a
look with Cleo… Zane comforting
Eli, then taking notice of someone, looking back at them, with a tear in her
face. It’s Pepsi, holding on to her own boy, with several other women nearby,
also watching. Zane looks from her, to other women and children, who look
toward them, with compassion… DISSOLVE TO: INT. GLENWOOD MESS
HALL �" DAY Many of the convicts/loggers
are piled into the old outdoor school mess hall. There is a lot of commotion
between them, even some hostility between convicts and loggers. Stix moves in
to keep the peace, between them. Swish simply watches over them all, before
taking charge… SWISH (speaking over everyone) I know what you’re thinking, and can hear you have concerns. Everyone becomes
silent, staring back at Swish… SWISH Please feel free to voice those concerns, now… Swish waits, and
looks on, as they all remain silent, looking back and forth amongst themselves… Stix looking
around, then moving toward Swish, before breaking the silence… STIX I have this man’s back (arriving next to Swish), and support the quick decision he was forced to make. (now looking at all the others) I also have all of your backs…and can personally guarantee…(looking directly at Swish) you won’t end up with a knife in them…or else I’ll be sticking one somewhere, myself… Swish smiling at
Stix… SWISH Damn, Stix. If I wasn’t so impressed, I might actually be scared of you, right now. (looking at everyone else) That right there, is what Grover had in mind, when selecting a democratic course of leadership. (looking at the loggers) Like I said, out there, your man was a dictator…and like Stix just said, I had to react… RANDOM LOGGER Why a damn knife in his back? Why not just overpower him? (looking at convicts) with all your supporters. DIFFERENT LOGGER Yeah! You could’ve put him in the DC. Gave him a chance. Swish nodding head… SWISH Maybe, maybe… But I was scared…that the knife might end up in my back…and had to react… I had to put an end to the Civil War, before it began. He already had (looking toward convicts) some of my own men questioning me, and was obviously trying to stir something up. So, now we stand here clearing the air, working toward being one group, working together to survive this new world. Most convicts
content, but loggers are silent, looking around at one another… Stix looking
around, and taking lead. STIX Moving on… We need to figure out what to do, with the ones we did put into the DC… Silence for a
moment… CONVICT They have a compound…I say we take it! Some of the convicts
cheer, some nod, and some are silent, along with most loggers… Swish smiling… STIX Grover does not want us to move on Beaverton. Would he want anything differently, when it comes to this compound? Swish’s smile fades
away… SWISH Stix makes a valid point, but again, Grover’s word was that if the fight comes to us, we have a responsibility. If Beaverton had shown up, we were
to make them fear Forest Grover. These people are no different than Beaverton, except that they did show up. RANDOM LOGGER We know Beaverton to be an enemy. Do we know the same, about these people? SWISH We know they came here to spy on us. We know that they helped the army fire on us that first day. You guys are outlaws, criminals! They want you back behind bars, and since bars don’t really exist anymore, I imagine they prefer you dead. Convicts all
nodding heads with looks at one another… DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK EXT. PRISON PARKING
LOT �" EARLY EVENING Swish is in his
guard uniform, carrying a shoulder bag and heading into the parking lot. He
spots a truck, with engine running. He walks over and opens passenger door,
grabs an envelope off the seat, and climbs inside. POV remains on the truck,
without a clear view of the driver… GROVER (driver) Your Christmas bonus is in the envelope. Now, pay attention to where we’re going, and the instructions I give you. Next year, and every year after, you will show me how to get where
we’re going, and repeat the instructions I give you today, before you get your envelope full of cash. POV Swish inside,
looking over the cash in the envelope, while nodding… SWISH Fair deal…what’s the key for? (pulling key out) POV of the truck
pulling out of the parking lot… Dissolve to the
truck turning off of highway 6, into a side parking lot from across the market,
and with a small bridge that goes over a creek (Glenwood Lane), and leads into
the Glenwood outdoor school area. POV remains of the
truck, and area, as they can be heard talking inside… SWISH (OS, in truck) This is it? This is where I lead them? GROVER (OS, in truck) Yes, lead. I can’t promise that I’ll be here in the beginning. It’s important they know they have someone else, they can look to, for answers. POV Swish. SWISH And the few people who currently reside here, are all a part of this plan, of yours? GROVER (OS) They are indeed, and the vacation rentals are all mine. That’s what the key’s for. Cabin #1 is yours, pre and post-apocalypse. Swish developing a
huge smile. SWISH I’m a homeowner? GROVER Only if you continue to take all this very seriously. You tell me everything next year, or you’ll be replaced, just like that. POV outside of the
truck. SWISH Easy enough, but where’s this spot in the woods you’re planning on leaving the supplies? GROVER Put on your hiking boots, and follow me. Grover opening
truck door, with scene dissolving as he begins to climb out, without being
clearly seen. DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT
TIME EXT. DC �" DAY Eli is now over
with everyone else, smiling and sharing stories of their “adventures”… DAKOTA (moving in closely to Eli) I’m staying close to this guy! Sam and others smiling,
as Eli begins blushing… CLEO (waving letter and laughing) Hahaha… He calls them huffs! Hahaha! (looking at Dakota) You didn’t tell me about that part! Sam and others
laughing… POV Zane over by
the fence, as both he and Pepsi part ways, with Zane heading over toward Eli
and the others… DAKOTA Yeah, Samantha really knows how to make you cry, and then laugh, (waving letter) in this damn thing. Some laughs… MARLANA She’s quite the storyteller. Dakota a smiling
nod at Marlana, followed with a look at Renee… DAKOTA I hear you like to do some writing, as well? Samantha mentioned it in her letter. RENEE (quietly, looking downward) It’s just a journal. Not funny, like Sam’s. Samantha’s. DAKOTA (smiling) You can call her Sam. I can never decide, myself. RENEE (looking up) I mostly like to read. DAKOTA Oh yeah? What do ya’ read? RENEE I binged Little House on the Prairie, so I just started reading the
books. CLEO Old school, nice! RENEE Sam says you have copies at the compound. DAKOTA I was just going to say that! RENEE I can’t believe I might get to finish reading them. Dakota smiles, as
does Renee, who tries to become more comfortable, as Zane arrives. DAKOTA (speaking to Zane) Making new friends? ZANE Allies, for now, but yeah, I think so. CLEO Hopefully a little better than the last friend you made? DAKOTA She’s sure cuter than the last one. A laugh from Cleo,
and a mildly annoyed look from Zane. ZANE She was friendly enough to tell me her son made a new friend of his own, with a black and white cat, just a little bit ago, on the outside. Sam and Renee,
instantly excited. SAM What?! Bailey?! ZANE (smiling) Sure sounds like it. She said she can show you where. The adults suddenly
looking concerned… DAKOTA Umm, what? ZANE She explained everything she could about this place, and where the people came from. Zane staring at
them all… ZANE I think…there’s a lot of good people here, and other than the fact Dad’s mental doppelganger, (Cleo laughing) is running it, I think this place can really fit into Grandpa’s ultimate plan. Sam, Dakota, and
Cleo all sharing a look. DJ and Marlana look very curious… DJ Sorry to interrupt, but…ultimate plan? ZANE I’ll explain later… SAM How do we get to Bailey? DAKOTA (talking to Zane) You’re not forgetting that half these people are felons, are you? CLEO Yeah, cause dead people walking the planet, eating live people, aren’t scary enough to share this forest with, lets add murderers and rapist to the mix. DAKOTA And let’s get back to this thing about the kids going out, after the cat? ZANE The girl I was talking with, Pepsi, has a cabin. She said those who were offered out of the detention center, could stay there, with her. Everyone silent a
moment, while Cleo gives everyone a questionable look… CLEO (sarcastically) Sure, ‘cause who’s more trustworthy than someone named after a soda pop? ZANE Yeah well, just don’t ask me her son’s name… Zane taking notice
of Pepsi heading toward the DC fence… ZANE Listen, here’s the thing. I have a contact here. I’m not going to reveal who or how I know him, but he’s a true friend…and with the “Mt. Hood crew” on the outside of this cage, I believe I can get them a one-way ticket straight to the compound. DJ sharing an
intrigued look with Sam and the others, as Pepsi arrives, and Zane nods/leads
everyone closer to the fence… ZANE Everyone…this is Pepsi… Everyone quiet, as
they look amongst each other… CLEO Hi Pepsi, I’m Root Beer, and this is my girlfriend, Dr. Pepper. (Renee can’t help but to laugh) She’s not really a Doctor, but (shrugging with a smile at Dakota)…she’s certainly full of pep. Pepsi just kind of
looking at everyone, before becoming sarcastic… PEPSI Ohhh’, I get it… You’re doing what everyone else has always done, my entire life. CLEO (wide-eyed) You’ve been going by that your entire life? PEPSI You’ve been this “funny” your entire life? Zane a quiet smile,
with a glance from Cleo… CLEO Why you laughing? I’m the one that made a funny. DAKOTA I think he liked hers better. CLEO Yeah, well, he’s biased…and that part about you not being a real doctor was hilarious. Pepsi actually a
small laugh… PEPSI Yeah, that part was pretty good. Cleo smiling, then
looking at everyone. CLEO See… Now who else do you know, who could make a soft drink, laugh? Renee laughing, as
Cleo shares a smile with her, with scene dissolving, as everyone smiles… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
(creek) �" EVENING Pepsi leading DJ
and Marlana down to the creek. PEPSI We were at the gates supplying water for some of the loggers, and there the cat was. She begins filling
up water containers. DJ and Marlana are helping her. They are keeping a close
eye on the kids, as Coke (holding Chance’s hand) leads Sam, Eli, and Renee to
an area where he points up to a tree, as they all look. Conner and another man,
are close by, with guns, keeping a lookout. COKE He was there just a little while ago. I saw him by the gate, and got in trouble for following him down here. Sam, Eli, and Renee
looking all around, as POV goes over to the adults… DJ (looking at Sam) That cat takes after his new mom. (shaking head) PEPSI You guys have been through a lot, Zane told me. Marlana gives her a
look, then a smile… MARLANA I think by now, we all have our stories… DJ Those loggers you were supplying water for, what were they working on? PEPSI Still sealing the camp. Looks finished from the front, but still not complete, in the back. Suddenly, the kids
become excited. RENEE (pointing) There he is! SAM Bailey! Bailey’s POV as he
looks down at them, with a meow… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DC �" EVENING Gary and many other
convicts are inside the DC, standing around Dakota and Cleo, who stand in front
of a picnic table, where Zane and Swish are seated across from one another,
with Stix at the end, watching Zane, closely. SWISH So, you guys came into our yard, armed - ZANE Armed to defend ourselves from God knows what. SWISH You were spying on us. ZANE Yet, not attacking… Swish staring him
down… SWISH Not yet… ZANE I think you know the real reason we were here, (motioning toward gates) she’s right outside those gates. Which, by the way…are you certain they’re safe out there? SWISH I can put them all back in here, if you prefer? I’ve done my part. I read you the letter, Grover left us, and I followed his commands to the tee. Your little sister, or cousin, will be safe here, as will her friends. They will be fed and housed…but until Grover arrives, we have no choice, but to leave you (gesturing to the DC) in a secure place. DAKOTA And, when will that be? Suddenly, there is
growing commotion coming from over at the gate, and outside of it. They all
look toward it, Zane instantly becoming nervous. SWISH What the… ZANE What’s happening?! What the hell’s happening?! Swish and his men
rushing toward the DC gate. Zane, Dakota, and Cleo are following, while
watching the main gates. Zane, Dakota, and Cleo stop (with instant relief), as
they watch Sam and all her friends, come rushing through the gates (without
Bailey)… SWISH (now on outside of DC) What the hell is this?! (looking at Zane) Are your damn people attacking us, son?! ZANE They wouldn’t attack, with our own people in here! Swish looking at
Stix. SWISH Is it Beaverton? Are they making their move? Zane looking from
Swish, to Sam, who rushes their direction. Swish, Stix, and
the others rush to the gate, where men are closing it and trying to calm/quiet
everyone down… Sam arrives at the
DC, followed by DJ, Pepsi, and all the others… ZANE What’s happening? Swish’s POV outside
the gate, just as every last man comes rushing inside, with a few others still
outside, but now hiding behind the store and in the bushes, remaining silent… Swish and Stix
watch on, very curiously… Their POV, as mild
grunting can begin to be heard. Eventually, a crowd of huffs begin filling the
highway, taking it over, as there appear to be hundreds of them… Stix begins
signaling everyone inside, to be totally quiet… He and Swish watch
on, as the endless crowd of huffs, slowly drag themselves up the highway. Some
of them are pushed off the road, lingering around, even come somewhat close to
some of the men who are hiding, but eventually make their way back onto the
road, with the others… Sam at the fence,
right next to Zane, as they all stand silently, looking over at the gates… Pepsi is holding
her heart, with a look at Zane, who gives her an expression of appreciation… POV going around
all the other people, the convicts, loggers, mothers, children, all of whom
nervously keep still, watching the gates… A baby is heard
crying, as one of the loggers rushes to the woman holding it, and guides her indoors… One person with a
dog is seen rushing it indoors… Zane begins
watching everyone, and then the gates again… Swish continues to
watch, next to Stix. They share a look with each other, and back at the huff
crowd… SWISH Well, thinking this might be the motivation our logger friends need, to get the rest of that wall up… Stix another look
at Swish, then back at the huffs… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
�" MORNING Early morning as
Swish supervises the loggers/convicts, who work hard to put up logs, in the
back of the camp. There are a ton of convicts with guns, guarding the sides of
the uncompleted wall… Dissolve to front
of camp, where the semi-flatbeds (full of workers) are leaving through the
gates. Sam, Eli, and Renee
watch the semi’s, from next to the DC, while talking/hanging out with Dakota
and Cleo… Zane is close to
the fence, talking with Pepsi… Conner is approaching
the group, with Zane taking notice, and motions all the others to come huddle
up. They all come next to the fence, near Zane, while skeptically eyeing
Conner, who arrives… ZANE Everyone…this is Conner. He’s the one I told you about. DAKOTA How - ZANE How I know him, or any other questions you have, is not important, right now. Figuring out our next move, without a knife ending up in his back, is… CONNER We should be alright. He’s on the other side of the camp, with his mind more on that army of the dead, than it is you. CLEO Well, it’s good to see the guy’s not as stupid, as he is crazy. Zane a look at
Conner. CONNER Everything’s ready on my end, but… ZANE But, we’re screwed now. Everyone looking at
Zane… SAM What do you mean? ZANE Conner has a truck, ready to transport all of you right to the compound, but…(shaking head) After what we just saw… CLEO It’s huff freaking rush hour, out there. Cleo and Eli share
a small smile, as Dakota stares at Zane, while he’s thinking… DAKOTA I’m thinking it, too. (Zane looking at her) God knows how long they’ll block that road. Everyone staring at
Zane, who simply shakes his head… ZANE (looking at Dakota) I mean…if they keep walking…What, a couple days, until they reach the coast? But who knows if they turn back around, or get caught up chasing animals, and keep that road clogged? (shaking head) DAKOTA We can’t send Samantha, out into that. CONNER If the road’s blocked, it won’t do us any good turning around and coming back this way. Not once I’ve shown my true colors. ZANE Which is why we have to delay the plan. SAM For how long? Everyone stares at
Zane, who stares at Sam… ZANE I don’t know… I wanted you out of here, and away from that psychopath, asap, but… You guys run into that herd, (shaking head) and something happens… (staring at her) I still can’t believe I’m even looking and talking to you, right now. (shaking head again) After all that…we just can’t risk losing you now. DAKOTA I agree. We need to get her behind those walls and into both her mothers arms. The family needs that to happen. ZANE They’ve already lost her, once. It can’t happen again. Everyone silent a
moment… PEPSI I can’t speak for the psychopath in charge, but there are good people here. If
you play “nice” with the guy, for a few days, I think you all can be safe, here. Now everybody
silent and staring from Pepsi to Zane, for his response… DAKOTA He did let everyone else out (gesturing around the DC) of here. MARLANA (nodding) I agree. We all play (motioning toward Pepsi) nice, and contribute, as if we’re happy here, and I think we can make it, at least a few days… Others nodding… DJ We can all do that. Zane hesitant to
agree or respond… ZANE Yeah…maybe… But, is a few days really enough? Everyone silent,
looking amongst each other… PEPSI Let’s just take it one day at a time. If the…what do you call them? SAM Huffs. PEPSI If the huffs don’t come back…maybe the road will be clear, eventually. Everyone nodding… MARLANA We can do this. DJ We’ve done so much more. Zane a look at DJ,
and begins nodding his head… PEPSI So, um…what does huffs stand for? Sam, Renee, and Eli
all smiling… Scene dissolving as
Eli answers, with audio/scene over before his final word is fully heard. ELI Hungry, ugly, freaky, fu… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
(creek) �" DAY Sam is sitting very
quietly, under a tree. She almost looks sad. She continues to sit there,
quietly, when suddenly she can hear the sound of something jumping onto the
ground. She is startled a moment, before turning with excitement, as Bailey
comes over, climbing onto her lap. SAM (looking ahead) It worked! I got him! Eli, Coke, Chance,
and Renee all begin approaching her, with DJ, Pepsi, and Marlana in the
background, along with Conner, who stands guard. Renee reaches Sam,
first, and begins petting Bailey, who actually leaves Sam’s lap, rolling over
for Renee, to rub his belly, with a smile from Sam… SAM He really likes you… He could be yours if you want him. I have a whole family of cats, at the compound. Renee looks
excited. RENEE You do?! I can’t wait to see your compound! She keeps playing
with Bailey, as Coke and Chance begin petting him. ELI I can’t believe he followed us, here. Eli bends down to
pet him, but jumps back up as they all look and react to Conner, who is
approaching a huff over by the bridge. DJ and them are also watching. Pepsi
immediately goes over toward the kids, while Conner takes down the huff. He
looks around, then back toward the others… CONNER I don’t see anymore, but it might be a good idea to grab that cat and get on back inside. Dissolve to them
all walking through the camp gates, with a couple of the guards smiling at the
cat. GUARD You got your cat, nice! Sam smiling, while
she carries Bailey inside the camp, as POV shoots ahead, to the DC, where Zane
is again at the tables, talking with Swish. Stix and Gary are also there, along
with Cleo and Dakota… ZANE So, you got pretty worried about this so-called Beaverton group, when you thought they might be attacking you, yesterday. Swish nods, as Zane
looks right at him… ZANE Your Grover may have ordered you not to go after them, but what about spying on them? Swish shaking his
head with a laugh… SWISH So, you want me to do them, like you were trying to do me? Zane shrugging. ZANE It beats just going in hot, asking for a fight. Let’s go catch a glimpse, and figure out what kind of people we’re dealing with. SWISH “Let’s”? “We’re”? ZANE I’m just as curious about these people, as I was/am you people. Spying on them, with you…(shrugging) two birds, one stone… Swish staring back
at him, with a laugh… SWISH You really want me to believe you’re just one curious sob, don’t you? And even if I did buy into it all, why would I feel confident, teaming up with someone who didn’t succeed all too well at “spying”, on us? ZANE I was distracted by the miracle of my little cousin, or would have never ended up (gesturing around him) in here. Swish just smiling
at him… SWISH How do I know you’re not a part of Beaverton? Zane looking at
Stix. ZANE Your man there, read my cousin’s letter. Did it say anything in there about
Beaverton? And why would she come this way, if Beaverton was where her family was? Swish just smiling
at him… ZANE And while you’re open to my ideas, I’d send a team after that herd. I’d say it’s fifty/fifty those things get turned around, and come right back this way. SWISH So, with you leading my Beaverton team, who leads the team to deal with the herd? Your sister and her smart-mouthed lover? Zane a dead serious
look at him… ZANE They’re more than capable… Swish again just staring
at him, with a smile and shake of the head… DISSOLVE TO:
FLASHBACK EXT. PRISON CELL �" EVENING POV travels past
several cells, with restless prisoners, who you recognize as the same ones from
Swish’s group… PRISONER This is bullshit! POV travels to next
cell. DIFFERENT PRISONER We’re hungry! ANOTHER PRISONER (OS) We were supposed to be fed hours ago! POV comes to Gary’s
cell. GARY Yo SWISH?! What the hell’s going on?! POV comes to
Conner’s cell. He’s sitting on ground, against wall to next cell. He speaks,
over the sound of all the hostile prisoners. CONNER What do you think, Stix? Terrorist attack? What else would make them neglect us, like this? POV comes to Stix,
standing in his cell, staring at the exit doors… STIX Seems like a fair guess… CONNER (OS) Are you worried? STIX The only thing that worries me, right now…is that end of the world story, I told you about with Swish. CONNER (OS) I didn’t even think about that. But yeah, shouldn’t at least he be coming for us,
if no one else? STIX That’s kind of what worries me… Dissolve to a
police car crashing into another car, as POV falls back from the television,
where Swish and others are watching the news. Others around them are leaving, while
outside, people can be seen packing up their cars, and leaving... Swish looks from
the TV, to the people leaving, and back to the TV. He then pulls out his phone,
and dials a number. He looks at the TV, with a strange look. SWISH What the? POV of officers
firing their guns at a huff (freshly dead), that keeps coming at them. POV Swish as his
call is answered. GROVER (over phone) What’s the word, Swish? SWISH (into phone) It’s falling apart, here. This is it, this is really it. I never thought this would ever play out, but now that it is, I am going to make you proud, Mr. Grover. GROVER (over phone) It’s Grover…and I’m on my way… DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT
TIME EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
(cabin porch) �" DAY Swish on cabin
porch, with Stix, Gary, and a few others. Swish is eyeing Zane, over at the DC,
where he’s chatting with a random guy… GARY So, what are you gonna’ do? SWISH I don’t know, probably let him go risk his life for us, I guess. Swish watching the
random guy over at the DC, as he nods at Zane, and walks away… SWISH That’s at least the third guy I’ve seen him talking with. Not to mention his new girlfriend… He’s becoming popular, here… Not sure how I feel about that. STIX Maybe it’s a good thing. SWISH And why is that, Stix? STIX He just doesn’t seem like a threat, to me…and like Grover said, adding people like this guy, is important. GARY He doesn’t want to join us. He wants to leave. To go back and report to his people. STIX So, let him. Both Swish and Gary
looking at Stix… STIX I didn’t kill his family. All he cares about right now, is the family he found, and the family at home, who he wants to return her to. We help aid with that… and we have ourselves a powerful ally. Swish just staring
toward Zane, a moment, with some of the other men nodding… SWISH You make a lot of sense, Stix…but I just can’t risk letting Grover, down. STIX And how would you be doing that? SWISH (motioning toward Zane) His people will never attack us, as long as that child is here. That’s the safest route, until Grover comes back, to make the call himself. We’ll take good care of them, and perhaps even work with him, on this Beaverton issue, but they reside here, until things settle down, and we get our leader back… DISSOLVE TO:
FLASHBACK EXT. PRISON �" NIGHT POV coming from the
headlights of a truck, as it comes around a corner, with lights shining right
on Swish, who is standing in front of them, waiting. The truck stops, as
several more trucks pull into parking area, and stopping. All of them keep
their headlights on, as Swish stands there waiting, shielding his eyes from the
bright lights… Grover climbs out
of his truck. His face unseen, due to the darkness. He remains at the side of
his door, as a few of his other men, exit their trucks, and approach Swish… SWISH This is it…this is really it. I never thought this would ever play out. GROVER I’ll be honest, I’m kind of with you, on that. Swish becoming
curious/nervous, as Grover remains at his truck, while three other men arrive,
just staring at him… GROVER But now that it has, we all have a job to do. Yours, is to lead, and to answer to me. With this, comes a lot of respect, and trust. Those things have to be earned, and you have to be shown, just how serious all this is. Not just what’s happening, but how we plan to survive it…and how I can’t have you letting me down. The moment he
finishes that last word, Swish is sucker punched right in the face, and knocked
down. One of the other men quickly pick him up, while the third guy punches
Swish in the gut, and they all back off, allowing him to get his breath back. GROVER You’re alright… Just stay calm… They’re not going to kill you. Not if you do your job. Swish getting his
breath back, and rising upward. SWISH What the fu - Swish immediately
punched in face again, and going down. GROVER Alright, that’s enough… Grover closes his
truck door, and begins heading toward Swish… DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT
TIME EXT. DC �" DAY Zane stares outside
the DC fence, with a smile on his face. His POV of Sam
playing/laughing, while chasing Bailey around with a string. Renee is there
too, having a good time, along with Eli, Coke, and Chance. Other children are
also there, mostly watching. Pepsi and Marlana are close by, watching and
smiling. Dakota comes to
Zane, from behind, and with a smile on her face… DAKOTA We’ve lost so much, but seeing her like that…just gives you so much hope, ya’ know? ZANE I’m still in shock…seeing her, and reading that letter. Zane just shaking
his head… DAKOTA So, now that we have a moment. I do want to know, just how it is that you trust a guy from prison, and how exactly do you know him? ZANE That’s fair… It’s like Mr. Miyagi always said. There’s no bad students, just bad teachers. (shrugging) In Conner’s case, it’s no bad kids, just bad parents. He was only eighteen when the family “business” was exposed, and they were all sentenced. I knew him because he was a ball player, and I’d read his story. So, I ended up visiting him, not once, but several times… He’s a good kid… DAKOTA And you really trust him, with
Samantha? Getting her home? ZANE Before the road got clogged, yeah. I liked those options better than her staying here, with Mr. Trigger happy. Zane looking right
at her, as Cleo arrives… ZANE It’s like you said, she gives hope. We need her and that hope, back home with the rest of the family…with her mothers…with Grandpa… Cleo just looking
at them both… CLEO What are we talking about? DAKOTA We were talking about Sam, but now I want to know more about this idea of his, to help them with their Beaverton problem? ZANE It’s really like I told him, two birds, one stone. And what I didn’t tell him, is that the more trust I earn with his men, the less they’ll actually be his men. CLEO I like it. Dakota somewhat of
a skeptical look at him, as he takes notice of it… ZANE There are good people here, and some not so good. We’re stuck here, at least a few more days. Maybe Conner can get us all out, maybe not, but in the meantime, we need to learn what we can…about them and Beaverton. DAKOTA Just be careful. I don’t want to see his knife in your back. Samantha’s not the only one the family needs to return. They all turn as
they hear Sam scream, and then smile when they realize she’s just reacting to
some of the other kids, playing with her. Zane puts his arm around Dakota, as
they stand there and watch… POV jumps over to
the kids playing, where all the new kids are now more involved, as Renee sits
alone watching… Marlana arrives, sitting next to her… MARLANA What happened? You get tired of playing? RENEE (quietly) I get nervous around new people. MARLANA You know, most people do. Some are just lucky, and know how to hide it. RENEE I’m not that lucky. MARLANA Well, just remember, you’ve done things, and survived things, that most kids couldn’t. Maybe these kids have, too. If they haven’t yet, they will eventually. My point is, it’s a different world, now. Kids will be different, too. There’s too much going on in the world, to care about someone who is a little different, or a little shy. RENEE I thought maybe I’d never feel my anxiety again, but then those kids came over, and started playing…it just felt like it always did. MARLANA Give it time. You just might find yourself getting over it, more quickly. RENEE Maybe. MARLANA I wanted to ask you something about your journal. I was hoping you’d allow me to read it. If it’s too personal, I understand, but I’d really like to get to know you better, and maybe be there for you, when you need to talk about things, like your anxiety, or anything else. RENEE (standing) It’s at Pepsi’s house. I can go get it. MARLANA I’ll go with you. I promised your brother I’d keep an eye on you. Marlana and Renee
begin walking off, as the kids all run around, playing and laughing… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. MOONSHINE
STATION �" DAY DJ stopping in
front of the moonshine station, and simply looking around, before entering… There are just two
different guys (Moon, 55, and Shine, 46) inside, working on the moonshine. DJ How’s it going? MOON Hello, young fellow. DJ I’m DJ, one of the new people. MOON Well, hello DJ. I’m Moon, and he’s Shine. DJ staring at them
both, with a silly smile… DJ You’re messing with me, right? Both men smiling,
as they continue working, with DJ checking out their setup… MOON I almost wish we were. It was Grover’s idea. He’s been calling us this for years, now. The people here seem to like it. Gives them a feeling of simplicity… DJ (nodding) Makes sense… MOON So, what can we do for you, today? DJ I’m just curious about what you guys have going on, here. It’s interesting how one day I’m heading for some kind of miraculous compound, that can’t possibly be as amazing as I keep hearing, and the next day I find myself at a place like this…pretty amazing in its own self. SHINE So, you haven’t been to that compound, yet? DJ Not yet, but I know enough about the family who built it, to know they’re not a threat, to this place. MOON We don’t believe them to be. We’re more concerned with our own leadership, than we are theirs. At least until Grover returns. DJ So, this Grover guy isn’t half bad? SHINE Don’t judge Grover, by what you witnessed here. Don’t get me wrong, I fully agree with you and your people being taken in, and questioned, but what happened to that logger guy, Eric, was sick… MOON Grover is the true leader, here. Everything will be fine when he returns. Everyone silent a
moment, as DJ continues to snoop around… DJ So, um, any of this stuff ready to be washed down? DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DC �" EVENING DJ now sitting
against the DC fence, next to Renee, who has Bailey in her lap. Cleo and Dakota
are right there, on other side of fence. Marlana is close by, watching over all
the children. Some of those children are kicking a ball around, while others are
playing hide and go seek… Pepsi is over at
another part of the DC fence, sitting there talking with Zane… ZANE Sounds like fate to me… PEPSI What do you mean? ZANE You’d been waiting two years to enlist, and get yourself to the most dangerous part of the world, but fate stepped in, and not only prevented you from going, (with a smile) but gave you a Coke. Pepsi making eye
contact with him, and sharing a smile, before hers begins to fade… PEPSI Well, fate was not so kind to his father… Zane’s smile fades,
as he stares back at her, while she forces a smile… PEPSI He did enlist, and you’re right…it’s pretty dangerous over there… She continues to
force her smile, while nodding, as Zane shares an empathetic look with her… ZANE Oh my God. I’m so sorry… Zane looking from
her, over toward her son, as he locates Sam, hiding behind a tree… PEPSI No, I’m sorry. You’ve been crying since I met you. You don’t need to hear my sad story. Zane a small smile… ZANE The world is full of them, now. But, yours began before all of this. They both share a
smile, then look toward the children… PEPSI Tell me more about you. Your family, that crazy father of yours. He sounds very intriguing. Are you guys close? ZANE He’s one of the greatest men, I know. But his stubbornness to believe in his meds, and his newly dead wife’s nasty influence over him, he’s also a very complicated man. We’re close, and I can’t stand him… if that answers your questions? PEPSI It answers them very well…and not at all. Zane laughs as Pepsi
throws him a mischievous smile… Zane stares at her
for a moment, with a smile, before finding something else to say… ZANE So, how’d you end up with your own cabin, here? PEPSI Well, most people without families are staying in the old outdoor school facilities, while families share the houses and cabins. I got my own, because I use it as a daycare. That’s why Kaiden stays there, with me. She helps with the kids. ZANE What about all the convicts? There can’t possibly be enough homes here for all of them? PEPSI Most of them sleep in the old mess hall, and the building next to it. But the plan is for more homes to be built. Zane staring over
toward the mess hall, in deep thought… ZANE Hmm… PEPSI What? ZANE Do they all stay in the same spot like that, on Swish’s command, or this Grover, guy? PEPSI That I couldn’t tell you, but I do know it was Grover who put me up in the cabin, and in charge of the kids. ZANE So, you know him? PEPSI Not before all this began, no, but at the other camp, yes. He was aware of how I took Chance in, and approached me on my way of contributing, here. ZANE Anything else about the guy, that you can tell me? PEPSI He’s far from stupid, and knows what he’s doing… but if it’s the kind of guy, he
is…(with a shake of head) I couldn’t tell you. At least not with any surety. And I’m a great judge of character. Trust me, I tried. ZANE You seemed to figure me out, pretty quickly. Pepsi smiling… PEPSI You were easy, easy to trust. (looking right at him) I’m sure you can fib with the best of them, when ya’ need to, but deep down, it’s pretty clear what kind of person you are. ZANE Yet you couldn’t get that from him, eh? PEPSI Not deep down, no. Obviously, his choice in leadership, is lacking, but I do feel confident telling you he’s a much better choice than what we’re putting up with, here. Zane staring off in
thought… ZANE Unless he’s just better at hiding it… Pepsi staring at
him, then developing a mischievous smile… PEPSI He did seem to enjoy looking at me. Zane forming a
smile… ZANE He did, did he? PEPSI So, you might want to stop looking at me that same way. You don’t want to make him jealous now, do ya’? Zane smiling… ZANE Just when I thought you knew how to read people. Pepsi a sarcastic
shocked face, and playful slap of his shoulder… DISSOLVE TO: INT. CABIN �" NIGHT Not much can be
seen, until Eli tosses/turns, and eventually turns on a flashlight, aiming
around the room at Renee, Sam, and then DJ’s empty bed. Sam and Renee are also
awake, and now looking at Eli. SAM I was so sleepy, a few minutes ago, but wide awake, now. ELI You think DJ is in the living room, or did he go for a drink? RENEE They have alcohol, here? ELI (sarcastically) These guys? I’m sure they do. Marlana’s crashed. We should sneak out, and go see what he’s up to. Sam already popping
out of bed, as Eli does the same… RENEE Will we get in trouble? ELI I’m practically an adult, now. They won’t mind. SAM Then what does it matter if Marlana is sleeping, or not? Sam smiling at him. RENEE I meant the other people, here. Some of them are scary. Even more scary than my dad. Sam and Eli sharing
a look… SAM We can stay, if you want, but I bet Zane is still awake. We could go straight over there. Renee pops straight
up. RENEE I’m okay with that. Eli and Sam share a
small smile, as they all begin putting on shoes/more clothing… DISSOLVE to them,
creeping out of their room, through the dark living room. They could see some
light from one of the other bedrooms, as they creep toward the door… DISSOLVE to them,
now closing the front door behind them, and creeping down off the porch. They
begin walking forward, without using their flashlights… They can hear a few
drunken men and women. Some laughing in the distance. They can see guards over
at the main gates, and a few random fire pits are burning, some of them with
couples, others with a few different people, drinking and laughing… Suddenly, a light shines
on the kids, scaring them half to death! A man comes right at them. MAN Who goes there?! Eli looks at Sam,
who looks back at him. Renee stares downward. Eli finally becomes brave enough
to speak. ELI We were just going to visit her brother. CODY I’m afraid I’ll need to see your permission slip. Man just stares at
them, very seriously, before cracking up and taking a swig of his booze. MAN I’m just giving you guys a hard time. (shakes hands with Eli) Hi, I’m Brew. Not everyone else here is as friendly as I, so you guys get yourselves over to her brother, before ya’ run into someone without a sense of humor. A woman now
arrives, with a drunken smile at the kids, and walking off with Brew, toward a
firepit. They all look at
each other… SAM I say we run. They all begin
walking with urgency, toward the DC… Once they become
closer, Sam shines her light, inside the DC, locating Zane, who becomes nervous
once he realizes it’s her… DAKOTA Samantha? ZANE You okay?! What’s wrong?! SAM Nothing. We’re fine. Just can’t sleep, and wanted to come visit. Zane with a
relieved look, as he, Dakota, and Cleo all come to the fence, with smiles… ZANE You guys came over here alone? Where’s - WOMAN (OS) Pepsi? The kids spooked,
as they turn to look, as a light is shined on them. Eli shines his light back
at it, where they can now all see Pepsi and Marlana, arriving. SAM Holy crap! Were you there the entire time? PEPSI Yeah, because you guys forgot your permission slip. ELI What the?! SAM You saw that guy?! And didn’t save us?! DAKOTA Wait, what?! ZANE What guy?! PEPSI Geez, guys…don’t get me in trouble! SAM He was fine, even nice. I think drunk. But Pepsi just sat back and let him freak us the hell out! Dakota a funny
expression at Sam’s language, as the others laugh a little… DAKOTA Who taught you to speak like that? PEPSI I saw him long before you guys did, just like I saw you sneaking out of the cabin. You guys can’t pull the old sneak-out trick, on me. But, since you tried, yes, I let Brew give ya’ a scare. SAM That’s messed up! ELI Nice! RENEE That guy made my heart stop! Sam laughing, as is
Marlana, who arrives with a touch to both Sam and Renee, over the shoulder, as
she comes over and turns on a lantern, while taking a seat on the ground, by
the fence. Everyone else begins sitting, getting comfortable… Zane throws an
impressed smile at Pepsi, as she sits next to the fence, close to him… ZANE I obviously left my little cousin in very good care. Pepsi giving him a
big smile… Dissolve to a
little later, as they’re all laughing over something that had been just said,
and as DJ is arriving, with a look of relief, as they all turn to see who it
is… DJ Oh, thank God! I figured you guys must be over here, but scared the chiz out of me to see your beds empty! SAM Did you just say chiz? RENEE Yeah, he got it from ICarly. He watches it with me. SAM You watch ICarly? I love ICarly! Sam was my favorite character! Renee laughs, along
with others. ELI Of course, she was. Sam looking at Eli,
surprised. SAM You watch it, too?! ELI (quick to answer) No! Cleo, Dakota, Pepsi,
and Marlana all laughing. CLEO (teasingly) Eli watches a girly show. (laughing) ELI I’ve just seen it. I didn’t watch it! Everyone laughing.
Zane takes notice of DJ holding a bottle… ZANE Whatcha’ got there, DJ? Wouldn’t be some of that moonshine, I’ve heard they’re making here, is it? DJ takes a swig
from it. DJ (just a little buzzed) And a pretty good job of it, they’re doing. Cleo and Dakota
laughing, and becoming excited. DAKOTA Well, pass along a taste for us, eh? CLEO Yeah, I mean we know you saved our little Samantha and all, but you better run back to where you got that from, and get us a bottle. Some laughs. DJ You serious? Because those guys Moon and Shine, were cool as chiz. They’ll hook you up. All the adults
looking strangely at each other… PEPSI Did you just say Moon, and Shine? (laughing) CLEO Yeah, ‘cause I haven’t even had a drink yet, but that’s what I just think I heard. PEPSI I knew about those guys but not that they go by Moon and Shine. (laughing) DJ They said Grover came up with it. ZANE Really? (pondering that) Eli eyeing DJ, who
helps give a drink, through the fence, to both Cleo and Dakota, with some
laughs… ELI I want to try. Sam a quick look at
Eli. SAM Whhhaat? ELI I had some at UPS. ZANE You know what, give him one. I think he deserves it. DJ I actually concur with that. DJ hands the bottle
to him. DJ Take one sip, maybe a few, (some laughs) and then give it to Pepsi. I’m gonna go see if I can score us some more. DJ heading away. ZANE They even still there? DJ Yeah, they sleep right there, where they make it. Dissolve to same
area, as everyone is in extreme laughter, as both Cleo (holding a bottle) and
Dakota are hilariously dancing with Sam, who is on the other side of the fence,
happily trying to follow their moves. Moon and Shine are also there (with
bottles), and all the adults are drinking. Marlana is laughing
with Renee, and edging her way toward the dancers, but first speaking to Renee.
MARLANA This is going to be hard for me, but I owe it to my husband. Renee watches
Marlana approach the others, dancing. She gets next to Sam, and sure enough,
begins shaking her stuff, to the delight of Sam, as well as both Cleo and
Dakota, who cheer and dance. CLEO Woohoo! That a girl! Sam is cracking up,
and doing her best to keep up with Marlana, who looks to the sky, with joy in
her face. MARLANA This is for you, Noah. I miss you baby. Sympathetic looks
from the other dancers, but mostly smiles and laughter as they continue to
watch, or dance with her… MARLANA (now looking at the others) He loved to watch me do this… Everyone else
watching, laughing, and drinking… Dissolve to same
area, a little while later as they’re settled down, all huddled up close (some
of them with blankets), deep in conversation. Moon and Shine are still present. DAKOTA There isn’t a more amazing person on the planet. Marlana yawns, then
smiles as Renee does the same. SAM There really isn’t. Eli stretches his
arms. ZANE He’s just a little bit of everything. I mean, people know him for his creative chain of hotels, the SSH, his money, and even his love and devotion to his family, but his spiritual side, and the way he believes in God…sometimes feels to me, like the most amazing thing about him. Everyone dead silent,
paying attention to Zane… SAM Tell them about where he believes God came from. ZANE Yeah…I used to love falling asleep to his thoughts on God, and where life came from. At first, only because I didn’t understand it, and it put me right to sleep… but as the years went by, it began having the opposite effect. Even when I did get sleepy, I’d be
(motioning head as if drifting/waking)doing what I could, not to drift, and keep learning from his imagination. PEPSI I like how you say learning. ZANE It was his own thoughts and opinions, but it felt like knowledge, and to this day I fully believe in everything, I’d lay there listening to him, go on and on about. MARLANA And he just loved it, didn’t he? Even though he must have realized it was taking longer and longer to get you to sleep, this way. Both Zane and
Dakota nodding. DAKOTA He did! He could never get tired, and never run out of thoughts and/or theories, of not only life, but what it all means, and what we’re supposed to do with it. Moon looking at
Shine. MOON And I thought Grover was interesting. Zane a look at
Moon. PEPSI So, tell us what it is, he believes... Got us all curious, now. ZANE Well, first off, he always says to just know one thing, with certainty, and have an open mind about everything else. That one thing, was the love of your children and family, and compassion for your fellow man. He said to have that, to feel it…that was all the proof you needed, of a higher power, regardless of what that higher power was. Science could have its hands on everything else, but those two things have nothing to do with science. Moon nodding his
head. MARLANA That makes a lot of sense. MOON I like it. ELI It’s making me think
Indians, again. Sam is the only one
laughing, as everyone else questionably looks at Eli… SAM You had to be there. (looking at Zane) Tell them about when there was nothing but blackness, and how crazy it made, God. A chuckle, or two… ZANE He believes that’s all there was, in the very beginning. Just black. And by believes, I mean it’s his best guess, as like I said before, he is open-minded to every other possible theory, out there. This is just his go-to theory. Few more chuckles… SAM It made God, insane. Everyone looking at
Sam. PEPSI I take it, Grandpa put you to bed once or twice, to these “theories”, did he not? Few laughs, as Sam
simply nods, excited herself, to hear more, as she looks to Zane… ZANE (shrugging) It makes sense to me. With nothing but darkness, no stars or planets, and not even a God, yet… ELI Is it just me, or does he sound like he’s reading Twas the night before Christmas? Few laughs. ZANE Okay, no more moonshine for the kid. More laughs… CLEO I disagree. He’s pretty funny. Give him more! Laughs. ELI Yeah, what she said! More laughs,
especially from Sam and Renee… PEPSI Okay, okay, either give him some, or not, and let Zane go on. I want to hear this. Zane an
appreciative/flirtatious look at Pepsi. ZANE Thank you. As I was saying… Even God, himself, is yet to be born. No color, no sound, nothing…even worse than the deepest, darkest room of solitary, where they send the worst of the worst… And what happens when they do that? Everyone just
looking at him, until someone answers… ELI You go insane… Zane nodding. ZANE Exactly… And that’s the drive, that gave birth to God. Insanity, boredom…from all the nothingness… Everyone’s
attention on Zane, waiting for more… ZANE Something, just happened… A mind, was created, or born... Like Darth Vader, he conceived himself. ELI Oh great, God is a dictator! Cleo, Dakota, and
everyone else laughing… ZANE I was waiting for that. CLEO Seriously, someone give the kid another drink. ELI That’s okay, I’ll use the force to get myself one. Few more laughs,
before everyone quickly looks to Zane, to go on… ZANE So…out of this insanity, came the ability to think, and from there, the ability to desire. Desire for sound, vision, color, beauty…and to feel…to love. Then came the ability to create, which came with a big bang. Now, whether this “mind” went on to create/birth/hatch (few chuckles) more minds, before creation of the stars, moons, suns, planets, and people like ourselves, well even Grandpa left certain things to ponder, for a later day. PEPSI That it? ZANE For the short version, yeah. I mean, he could go on and on about any questions or theories of your own, but that is how he believes it all began. SAM And that this life we live, is a test. A test to prove what kind of souls we possess. ZANE That’s why God himself, can’t console us the way we pray for, at times, and by he, I mean he, she, or it. It’d be too easy to “behave”, if we knew with certainty that we’d kneel before such a powerful being, in the end. DAKOTA Or both, he and she. Grandpa always said he was very open to the idea of a couple. Maybe the male version, being the “devil”, we like to also believe in. Who are kids more afraid of, when they get in trouble? Mom? Or Dad? POV traveling past
everyone, taking in what’s being said… CLEO Mom’s the consoling one, while Dad’s got the belt. ZANE He was also open to the idea of God, being very lonely, hence the creation of us all. He looked forward to the first of us, passing the test, and joining his kingdom. Zane quiet a
moment, just looking back at everyone… ZANE And God, needs our love, too. God feels pain, loneliness, disappointment, lust, excitement, all of it. We couldn’t have been given all these emotions/feelings, from something that didn’t know a thing or two about them, him/her/itself… Zane again quiet,
as is everyone else, just pondering his words… Pepsi looks
impressed, nodding her head. PEPSI Wow… I really can’t wait to meet him… ELI Who? God? PEPSI (a little laugh) No, Grandpa! But yeah, God,
too! Bunch of laughs… MARLANA Maybe Grandpa, is God! Now I really can’t wait to meet him. ZANE When I was a kid, I used to believe that maybe he was… SAM Me too. Eli looking at Sam,
with a funny expression… ELI When you were a kid? Everyone laughing,
as scene dissolves… DISSOLVE TO: INT. GLENWOOD CAMP
�" MORNING A thunderous sound
begins echoing throughout the camp. Convicts, loggers, and others all rushing
out to see what it is. Eli, Samantha, and Renee come rushing out of the cabin,
watching in horror, as something begins banging against the wall, almost like a
wrecking ball, or a monster! It’s a giant axe,
and on the other side of it, and now climbing through the hole he axed, is
Colonel Ballard! Cut to Eli, waking
in bed, and then closing his eyes with annoyance. ELI God, I hate that guy… DISSOLVE TO: INT. DC YURT �"
MORNING Zane, Cleo, and
Dakota are in sleeping bags, crashed out asleep, inside the yurt. The sound of
someone approaching is heard… SWISH (OS) Rise and shine, my late-night moonshiners. No time for hangovers. Dissolve to Zane,
Cleo, and Dakota all in coats, taking a seat with Swish, at the table in the
DC… SWISH Good time, last night? How was the shine? CLEO Not bad, but not so good that it made me ever think for a moment, that you might actually know what you’re doing, with all this power of yours. SWISH You know…you people keep acting like it’s me, who has something to prove, here. ZANE I offered you, yesterday, a way of proving myself. It’s your move. SWISH And I’m here to make it… You’ve got your chance, the girls, too. But, your niece, cousin, or whatever she is, will be here, where she’ll be safe, until your return. ZANE How many men do we get? SWISH A half dozen of my best, and most trusted, will go with you. Another half dozen, will go with the ladies. Zane looks at Cleo
and Dakota. ZANE It’s been a day and a half. Drive for about twenty minutes, then find a hill to climb, and scout the highway for that herd. Don’t let em’ hear you coming. DAKOTA Got it. SWISH (smiling) I’m feeling confident, already… Zane turning back
to Swish… ZANE I have a request… I want to lead this mission. I can’t be at my best, while taking orders from an amateur. Swish just staring
at him, with that smile of his… DISSOLVE TO: INT. PEPSI’S CABIN
�" MORNING Close-up of Sam, in
bed asleep. She wakes her eyes, instantly they go wide! SAM ZANE! You’re out! DJ, Eli, and Renee all
waking with wide eyes, then relief, while watching Sam hug Zane. Renee flinches
again, as the door opens, with Dakota and Cleo entering. They also receive
hugs, from Sam… SAM What happened? How’d you all get out? DISSOLVE TO: INT. FRONT ROOM -
MORNING Everyone now
dressed and sitting around, with Pepsi, Marlana, Coke, and Chance also there. ZANE (looking at Sam) You have to be ready to go, as soon as Dakota gives you the word, (looking at all the kids) all of you do. I might not be back. SAM (worried) Why? We should all go together! Eli nodding his
head… ZANE He’s not going to let us go. You guys have to sneak out of here, the very first chance you
get. I’m not taking any chances with him. I want you as far from him as possible. I want you in your mothers arms. SAM What happens to you, after we leave?! Dakota a look at
Zane, along with all the other adults… ZANE Sam, I will be fine. Once you’re safe, and telling my crazy a*s dad where I am, this crazy guy here is going to have his hands full. We’ll have an army at these walls, and I’ll be coming home with them. Sam nervous, almost
teary-eyed… Cleo providing Sam
with a reassuring shake… ZANE (speaking to Pepsi) Can I speak to you, outside, for a minute? PEPSI Yes, because I wanted to talk to you, for a minute. Pepsi rising and
following Zane for the door. Marlana begins to rise. MARLANA So, how about some breakfast? ELI I’m starving. Coke and Chance express
excitement, over breakfast, as Pepsi follows Zane outside, and closing the
door. She smiles at him… PEPSI Should I be worried? ZANE No, I know what I’m doing. What’s on your mind, that you wanted to tell me? Pepsi taking a
breath… PEPSI I know you want me and the kids to go with them, but Zane, there are not only good people here, there are good kids. Those kids depend on me. Zane staring at
her, with admiration… ZANE That’s what I want to talk to you, about… I’ve trusted you from the start, and you’ve been great with Samantha, and the other kids. I have something else, something important, that I want to trust you with… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP
GATES �" DAY Zane is gathered
with his group, containing of Stix (with a radio), Gary, and four other convicts
(Kemp, Lester, Rod, and Shade, all 30-45). Cleo and Dakota are gathered with
their group, containing of Damon, Divit, Conner (with a radio), and 3 others.
Swish is also there, handing guns to Cleo and Dakota, with a look at Zane. SWISH Don’t make me regret this… Swish goes on to
hand a gun to Zane, and then just stares at him a moment… SWISH (reaching for something) Oh, you’ll probably need these. Swish handing him a
box of ammo, with a look from Zane… ZANE You’ll trust me more, once we return. SWISH We’ll see… I thought long and hard, over your request… ZANE And? SWISH Denied. Stix has command, but will follow your lead. He’ll only take over, if he feels he needs to. But, make no mistake, you take orders from him, not the other way around. ZANE Hope he knows what he’s doing… SWISH I hope you know what you’re doing. You screw me, and you’re screwing Grover. (shaking head) Not a wise thing to do… DISSOLVE TO:
FLASHBACK EXT. PRISON �" NIGHT POV behind Grover (can’t
see his face) and Swish, who walk toward the prison. Grover’s arm is around
Swish, who is obviously beaten up… GROVER It was simply a show of power, and a small price to ask, for what I’m providing. What’s happening out there, is not just the beginning of a new world, but something you have to see, to even begin to believe… Two of Grover’s men
come around the corner, up in front of them. They are holding/securing a prison
guard, as they bring him toward Grover. Other men are in parking lot, loading
up their trucks, with supplies… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. PRISON AREA
(same area where Grover gave motivational speech) �" NIGHT POV slowly goes
over the curious expressions of tons of convicts, all watching, and waiting… Suddenly, their
eyes begin to go wide, as the sound of a huff (coming to life) can be heard.
Their expressions are wild, with shocked disbelief. GW What the hell am I seeing?! RANDOM CONVICT But…is he dead, or… POV Gary… GARY This can’t be real. POV comes to Stix,
just staring, in disbelief… Swish is standing
back behind most of the others. He’s perking up, a bit, as he watches in awe,
before looking back toward the trucks, where Grover and his men continue to
load them up… SWISH (speaking over at Grover) I think we’re seeing, what you wanted us to see. The dark image of
Grover, approaching the convicts… As he arrives, just
before his face can be seen, the POV begins traveling over all the convicts,
who curiously look from Grover, to the huff (handcuffed to bar), and back to
Grover, as he begins speaking… GROVER (OS) Swish has filled you guys in on what you need to know. What I need to know, is how much you respect what I’m doing for all of you? You see why things are going down, the way they are. Because of me, you all have a shot at being a part of the new world. Because of that, I’m asking for
your absolute allegiance. (men begin nodding) We survive this, TOGETHER! (some mild cheering) WE BUILD THE NEW WORLD, TOGETHER! (louder cheers) IF ANYONE TRIES TO STOP US, WE DEFEND OURSELVES, TOGETHER! (cheering getting even louder) BECAUSE WE’VE GOT MANPOWER! (more cheering as scene begins to dissolve) WE HAVE LEADERS! (cheering) DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT
TIME EXT. HIGHWAY �" DAY A truck goes slowly
driving up the highway, with Divit and Conner in the back. A second truck,
follows behind them. Inside, is a guy (Geno, 35ish) driving, with Damon on
passenger side. Both Cleo and Dakota stand in the back, keeping an eye out. DAKOTA That guy Damon, is creepy. CLEO Nah, he’s harmless…and if you’re right, he’ll take one in the head, if he lays a hand on you. DAKOTA Just remember, Sam is back there, on her own. CLEO Remind me of that, if his hand goes anywhere near you… POV from above both
trucks, as they begin to pull off to the side of the road, next to a large
hillside… Cleo and Dakota hop
down off the truck, as do the men in the other truck, with the others climbing
out. Divit grabs a pair of binoculars. They all look over and up the hillside… DIVIT Should be a good view of the road, from up top. If we’re anywhere close to them, we’ll see them on the other side. Cleo and Dakota, a
look at one another, back up the hill, and then begin climbing. Damon watches
Cleo, with a smile, and follows, as do all the others… Dissolve to all of
them, over halfway up the hill… DAMON So, tell me more about this compound. CLEO You’d love it. We actually have jail cells there. Dakota fights back
a laugh, as does Divit. DAMON What the hell you mean by that? Dakota giving Cleo
a look, with one from Conner, as well… DAKOTA She can’t help it. It’s her witty mouth that I fell in love with, and want to slap the s**t out of, at times. DAMON Let me know next time, and I’ll slap it for you. CONNER Relax, bro. It’s all good… Dakota looking from
the dirty expression on Damon’s face, to Cleo… They all walk in
silence… A noise scares and
makes them all freeze, as a deer skips through the woods, and down the hill.
They all put down their guns, and continue on, in silence… They begin reaching
the top, with a clearing below. They all move forward, and stare downward. Their POV of the
highway, mostly clear. There is a random huff, here and there, but no more… They all look at
one another, and in silence, they turn and go back the way they came… Dissolve to all of
them reaching the bottom, and climbing back in/on the trucks… Dissolve to all of
them driving the highway. Cleo and Dakota again in the back, keeping their eyes
open… Dissolve to Divit
knocking on top of the truck, as it pulls off the road, next to another
hilltop, and they all begin climbing out. They stretch, and begin climbing… Dissolve to them
all hiking the hill, in silence. Damon stares at Cleo, in silence… Conner takes
notice of it, in silence… Dissolve to Divit
reaching the top, as the others follow behind him. They come to a clearing, and
stare down below, in silence, as some of them turn to stare at one another… Dakota turns to
look at Cleo, who is still staring downward… CLEO Shhhiit… DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HIGHWAY �" DAY A truck drives down
the highway. Gary is driving, with Rod and Shade, standing in the back, keeping
an eye out… A second truck is
behind them, Stix and Zane stand in the back, also keeping an eye out. They
watch as the truck passes a couple of huffs, who had been on the ground eating
an animal… They continue
driving down the road. Eventually, the first truck slows, and begins swerving
over the road, to dodge a small group of huffs. Zane and Stix aim their guns,
but decide not to fire, as the truck works its way around them, and over the
top of one of them, as Zane and Stix brace for the bump… They continue going
down the road. There is a swampy area, where several huffs are stuck… A dog comes out of
the brush, running toward the trucks, until giving up… Zane and Stix share a look, and then back to
the road. Dissolve to the
trucks now on a different stretch of road. Zane’s truck is now in front, as he
bangs on the roof. The drivers turn off the road, onto a dirt road. They begin
passing some farms, and fields. They begin climbing in elevation, until they
come to a dead end, and stop. They all jump/climb
out… GARY Boy, you better not be walking us into a trap. Zane rolling his
eyes, as he pulls out a pair of binoculars, from the truck. ZANE You are just as paranoid as your boyfriend. STIX How far from here, do we go on foot? ZANE It’s not far. Anyone at least halfway in shape, shouldn’t even break a sweat. GARY Is that a crack, at me? Zane glancing over
at Gary’s pot belly… ZANE If you break a sweat, you’ll have your answer. Zane not sure, but
thinks he noticed a small smile from Stix… Dissolve to them
all walking, through the brushy area, and somewhat of a trail… STIX How do you even know about this place? ZANE I had a friend who lived on one of those farms. This was their childhood “hangout” spot. Forts, ghost stories, and all that fun stuff. GARY And you’re sure we can get a good look at Beaverton, from there? (wiping some sweat) ZANE As sure as I am, you’ve broken that sweat. GARY Keep talking, wise guy. ZANE So, tell me more about Grover. Why all the hype? GARY He showed up when everyone else was leaving. Leaving us to rot in those cells. He gave us hope, resources, and promises. Unlike the people who had done that to us, our entire lives…he made good on them. You’ve seen that place. Compound or not, it’s a place of bliss, compared to how we were living, in the old world… ZANE (nodding) That’s fair… What about his other camp? What do you know about that? GARY Why all the questions? ZANE I need to know everything I can, so that when I make it back to my people, we can destroy you all. Zane a sarcastic
roll of the eyes, toward Gary… GARY My son is only a little younger than you, and just as sarcastic. It’s what got him killed. ZANE And you’re telling me this, because? GARY If I’d do my own son like that, how would I do you? I put up with his s**t, for years, until I didn’t. ZANE Well, guess I got some time to play with, then… They all freeze, as
off in the far distance, what sounds like an explosion is heard… Zane begins running
ahead, as they all follow… He comes to a
clearing, but nothing can be seen. They all look, and listen…it sounds like
possible gunfire… Zane again begins
running, further along the semi-trail, with everyone following. He finally
comes to another clearing. They all come to a slow, and stare outward, with the
sound of a ton of gunfire, in the far distance… ZANE (pulling binoculars up to his face) What the fu - BLACK CREDITS
THE END © 2024 Mike Decker |
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Added on December 31, 2018 Last Updated on June 21, 2024 Tags: The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Zombies, apocalypse Author
Mike Deckervancouver, WAAboutMy daughter and I are huge Walking Dead fans, and have put together our own spinoff series, of it... Above The Dead It's an absolute emotional mess, and a total suspense/thriller... https://w.. more..Writing
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